Four players to watch in today’s AFCON qualifiers

Naby Keita of Guinea

Sunday Nov 17, 2019. 09:00

Sunday 17 November is set to be another key day in the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, with no less than 11 matches taking place across the continent. We pick the top four players to watch as the road to Cameroon 2021 continues.

Percy Tau

South Africa v Sudan, 15:00 CAT

South Africa’s highly talented forward had no joy against Ghana on Thursday night, but will fancy his chances of getting on the score sheet against Sudan in Soweto. Should he do so, the Club Brugge forward will become just the 12th Bafana Bafana player to reach double figures in terms of goals.

Victor Osimhen

Lesotho v Nigeria, 18:00 CAT

Netting Nigeria’s opening goal (albeit from the penalty spot) in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Benin this past midweek was a great start to Victor Osimhen’s bid to become the permanent replacement for Odion Ighalo, and he’ll have the chance to further impress the Super Eagles faithful when they face Lesotho in Maseru this evening.

Naby Keita

Guinea v Namibia, 18:00 CAT

The dynamic midfielder has seen little playing time for Liverpool of late, but he sent a timely reminder of his all-round abilities with a goal-scoring performance in Guinea’s 2-2 draw away to Mali in Bamako on Thursday. The Reds man will hope to guide the Syli Nationale to a victory at home to Namibia in Conakry this evening.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Gabon v Angola, 21:00 CAT

Gabon opened their 2021 AFCON qualification campaign with a very respectable 0-0 draw away to DR Congo, but they will need to build on that with a with over Angola in Franceville tonight. That puts the pressure on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be amongst the goals for the Panthers, who are looking to return to the Nations Cup finals after missing out on Egypt 2019.